BDO crowd 'well behaved': police

POLICE say they were generally pleased with crowd behavior at this year's Big Day Out music festival held on the Gold Coast on Sunday.

Superintendent Paul Ziebarth of the Gold Coast District said he was pleased to see the early intervention and high visibility policing, including drug detection dogs, contributed to an overall reduction in intoxication levels and associated disturbances.

"Those people interfering with others enjoyment of the event were swiftly evicted to allow people to enjoy the event in a safe environment. It was a costly way to end the day for many of the evictees who forfeited their entry fee and also copped a $400 on the spot fine," Superintendant Ziebarth said.

A 24-year-old man was arrested after he was found to be in posession of about 40 capsules, alleged to be MDMA (ecstacy), and a small amount of cannabis. He was charged with eight supply of a dangerous drug offences and one count of possession of a dangerous drug.

Police utilised passive drug detection dogs at the entrance to the venue, and over 30,000 people passed through the gates. Sixteen people were arrested on a total of 28 charges. In addition 41 people were issued with notices to appear with a total of 52 charges, 14 people were issued with infringement notices for public nuisance offences and 63 people were evicted from the venue.

A total of 68 people were issued with liquor infringement notices. Many of these people were given $500 fines for breaching conditions of entry to the licensed venue and bringing in alcohol.